WHO WILL WALK IF - Crows/Port Reserves discussion

[JamesH]

If the SANFL caves in and allows Port and Crows to field reserves sides in the SANFL, will you continue going to games.
I spoke to a lot of supporters at a west v glenelg trial last week and there were numerous (not all) supporters who said they'd throw in their membership and wouldnt bother with a comp where two teams focus i not about winning. (See what it has done to the VFA/VFL).

I doubt I'd go in 2014 if they allow this to happen and have these concerns

1. Sponsiorship will gravitate to the popular power and crows reserves sides
2. Volunteers will see a career path through to the crows / power afl side
3. Kids will gravitate to the reserves sides and no longer support their sanfl clb especialy if they are not doing well. I teach kids and winning teams attract support
4. Top up players - NO way do I want any junior from my club leave to play against us.


The more I think about it, the more likely I'd give the game away an do something else on the weekend. Maybe we need a petition to present to Chris Davies now and all supporters who are members to make their thoughts well and truly clear to their respective CEO's and presidents befor its too late.

Our competition has too much history and pride to become a B-Grade apologist competition to AFL clubs who we wont even own.

Mark the one little thing people forget is that the VFA was absolute crap and full of fat journeymen before being re-organised. The skill level in new VFL is far superior to any league in Australia (remember the SANFL has taken the cream of the crop) - so involvement of AFL clubs does have its benefits

It is better to be pragmatic as AFL interests will always win. either wait until the SANFL is in an absolute hole and go cap in hand to the AFL like the VFA did or make it happen on our own terms.

[JamesH]

I juggled both for quite a while.

In 1991, used to go on Crows Cheer Squad bus to Melbourne Friday night for game Saturday return Saturday Night then SANFL on Sunday. I was not alone in this.

That was before wife, kids and mortgage.

When in QLD for 5 years (1993-98) was part of the Crows Brisbane Supporters Group.

When I moved back I even rented at West Lakes 300m from AAMI Stadium

BUT

I found with a new family that the SANFL was just as enjoyable, a lot more accessible and much better value for money.

With the kids rather than having a seat and it being like a 3hr airplane flight at Woodville they could roam around the hill and have their own space.

I am still a Crows "follower" but will only follow them when SANFL commitments allow.

Good post PH

I also notice a lot of people posting with venom also have an AFL team listed that they support..... so they clearly arent anti AFL and its agendas - in the late 70s to mid 90s it had its divide and rule policy. People there are reasonably progressive (although they tend to take their eye off the ball in regards to SA believing the SANFL knows its stuff)

[Booney]

So whats different now to 1990 when Woodville / West Torrens merged and the bulk of SA's top flight players were taken by the formation of the Adelaide Football Club?

Surely that compromised the competition and the "true SANFL" was no more.

Considering the massive Glenelg influence and input into the early Crows days it's quite humorous that some of the strongest feelings on this issue in this thread have been from Glenelg fans who have,IMO. had a "compromised" club since 1989.

[UK Fan]

So whats different now to 1990 when Woodville / West Torrens merged and the bulk of SA's top flight players were taken by the formation of the Adelaide Football Club?

Surely that compromised the competition and the "true SANFL" was no more.

Considering the massive Glenelg influence and input into the early Crows days it's quite humorous that some of the strongest feelings on this issue in this thread have been from Glenelg fans who have,IMO. had a "compromised" club since 1989.

Dumbest question I've read in a long time. Surely after 25 years of deflecting/defending the treachery of pafc.

This is your finest hour.

[Booney]

Stalker / Troll.

[am Bays]

So whats different now to 1990 when Woodville / West Torrens merged and the bulk of SA's top flight players were taken by the formation of the Adelaide Football Club?

Surely that compromised the competition and the "true SANFL" was no more.

Considering the massive Glenelg influence and input into the early Crows days it's quite humorous that some of the strongest feelings on this issue in this thread have been from Glenelg fans who have,IMO. had a "compromised" club since 1989.

Surely you jest,

Did the crows wear black and gold, train and play at Brighton Rd and play in the best footy competition in the land? Nip. Never have or will ever be as good as the Glenelg Football Club.

The only thing compromising for us in 1989 was getting Bone over knee recon!

[Booney]

So whats different now to 1990 when Woodville / West Torrens merged and the bulk of SA's top flight players were taken by the formation of the Adelaide Football Club?

Surely that compromised the competition and the "true SANFL" was no more.

Considering the massive Glenelg influence and input into the early Crows days it's quite humorous that some of the strongest feelings on this issue in this thread have been from Glenelg fans who have,IMO. had a "compromised" club since 1989.

Surely you jest,
Did the crows wear black and gold, train and play at Brighton Rd and play in the best footy competition in the land? Nip. Never have or will ever be as good as the Glenelg Football Club.

The only thing compromising for us in 1989 was getting Bone over knee recon!

[Wedgie]

Watching North and getting to abuse Crows supporters at the same time?
Sign me up, I'll pay double!

[Jim05]

Watching North and getting to abuse Crows supporters at the same time?
Sign me up, I'll pay double!

Yep look at the positive, in the past its been great fun abusing spuds like Motlop and Davenport, imagine having a whole side of spuds to yell abuse at. And as an added bonus you can tee off on the Cow supporters aswell

[topsywaldron]

Yep look at the positive, in the past its been great fun abusing spuds like Motlop and Davenport, imagine having a whole side of spuds to yell abuse at. And as an added bonus you can tee off on the Cow supporters aswell

Don't be cruel to the handicapped Jim.

[Lynwood]

Seeing as my club would be one of the ressies sides I would not go. What's the point of going each week to support an AFL reserves side.

[FOURTH ESTATE]

Was at Port Melbourne's first home game last year when they unfurled the flag no atmosphere and hardly anyone there.seen more at a West v South game. That what it will become if the AFL have their say. AFL players in the alignment sides only play for themselves. Have first hand knowledge of this and the non AFL players are treated like 2nd class citizens in their own club with the alignments. Coaches are appointed by the the AFL clubs and have no interest in most non AFL players and blame them when they don't win. This is fact!!!

If the Crows & Power want reserves teams go play in the VFL and leave the SANFL alone.

Just watch the destruction in the two years of the WAFL not a lot of happy clubs there.

[wild dog]

I wont go to a SANFL game with an AFL reserves side. I will still support Centrals and attend home games against traditional clubs as my kids are now brainwashed - cant believe a 3 year old can be hanging out for the footy. Has the UDogs chant down pat. Kids have new Centrals jumpers lined up for Easter. We all love the Saturday afternoon games at Elizabeth Oval, kids hanging out and making friends, kick on the oval. Why give this great SANFL competition up?

I still think the current SANFL administration would be derelict in its duty to consider AFL reserves teams until the figures are in after the Adelaide Oval move and to determine how Port Power goes. If Port Powers declining support base continues we will need a thriving SANFL. Is it a given that if Port Power improve on the field their support base will increase to profitable levels? Will SANFL club revenue increase if as expected the economy picks up and people loosen up wallets? Too many big questions need to be answered before rolling over any more to the AFL.

[Sojourner]

Will still go and support Norwood but couldnt promise that id see the whole game. Fair chance of being evicted because the heckling and abuse towards the AFL sides wouldnt stop from the moment the ball is bounced.

X2 mate, I will happily join in with you there!

[JamesH]

according to Bouncedown 2013 WCE & Fre will pay $450,000 each per season to align with a WAFL club. if they align with two clubs up the this could be a nice little earner for the league.

the catch 22 for the league is Sturt are worth 3,500 people at the gate.... so if the blues take the plunge things need to be done delicately and transparently so these people are not lost. My greatest fear is that Sturt and West decide opt to grip to life and end up in the state of the old West Torrens - with very little to look forward to.

[CENTURION]

and we all know what happened next.

[LPH]

Hmmm... initially I was dead against it, but after reading Wedgie & others, I like the idea of hanging s**t on Cows supporters @ games.
I am beginning to 'come around' to that train of thought.
I hate everything GAYFL - but this does appeal to me.
Wonder if that will mean an increased WESLO presence?

[CENTURION]

Hmmm... initially I was dead against it, but after reading Wedgie & others, I like the idea of hanging s**t on Cows supporters @ games.
I am beginning to 'come around' to that train of thought.
I hate everything GAYFL - but this does appeal to me.
Wonder if that will mean an increased WESLO presence?

big deal, what are they going to do? fat on us?

[whufc]

We would all love to hang rubbish on Crows supporters BUT honestly how many Crows supporters would go out and watch their reserves side against South at Noarlunga or Centrals in Elizabeth. Their Crows season ticket would have to get them entry as there is no way people would pay $14 to watch their reserves side.

And secondly your not going to get a decent bite out of them the only response you will hear is 'you wouldnt be able to beat our AFL side' etc etc

I would be interested to hear. If Sturt becomes the Crows Reserves/Feeder club who will people who support say Norwood but are also passionate Crows fans be supporting when they played each other.

[LPH]

Yeah, I know...

But, wondering if more yellow lines will be painted